While many remember 'Made in Korea' Season 1 ending as simply Baek Ki-tae's victory, it was actually a complex restructuring of power and desire. Understanding how prosecutor Jang Geon-young's counterattack crumbled against the NIS's ledger and internal divisions is crucial for predicting Season 2. We'll re-examine the power games this Korean drama presented in 2026.
'Made in Korea' Episode 6: How Did Baek Ki-tae Reach the Top?
'Made in Korea' Episode 6 kicked off with intense drama. While prosecutor Jang Geon-young was interrogated after a near-disappearance, Baek Ki-tae, without NIS chief Cheon Seok-jung's approval, framed Jang's sister for espionage, ruthlessly revealing his ambition. This felt like a display of power's coldness, neutralizing personal anger. However, Jang Geon-young was formidable. He used the Na Yong-cheol line to gain help from higher-ups in the prosecution, attempting to pressure Baek Ki-tae with Kang Dae-il's confession tape and Pyo Hak-su. The betrayal by Pyo Hak-su and reports from internal spies played a decisive role in shifting the balance.
Overseas Connections & Domestic Power Reshuffle: Baek Ki-hyun's Awakening and Cheon Seok-jung's Choice
Meanwhile, unusual movements were detected, particularly around Vietnam. The scene where Baek Ki-tae's younger brother, Baek Ki-hyun, accidentally witnessed his brother's dealings with Yuji Ikeda while exploring raw material routes served as a significant foreshadowing for Season 2. His brother's wavering gaze hinted at a darker world, amplifying curiosity about future developments. Domestically, Jang Geon-young raided Baek Ki-tae's office and pushed for his arrest, but the crucial turning point came with the corruption recording of Na Yong-cheol handed to Cheon Seok-jung. As power priorities were rearranged, the prosecution's counterattack was neutralized, and Jang Geon-young was disgraced with bribery charges, leading to his downfall.
Season 1 Winner Baek Ki-tae: The Double-Edged Sword of Power and the Drug Business
The clear winner of 'Made in Korea' Season 1 was Baek Ki-tae. He ended the season as the head of the NIS, but he held more than just power. His victory felt unstable and incomplete, as he also possessed the dangerous key to the drug business. This foreshadows a more perilous and unpredictable story ahead. Looking at the characters, Baek Ki-tae was a planner who manipulated tapes and people, always ending the game in advance. Jang Geon-young pursued righteousness but faced structural limitations, with his family becoming both a weakness and a driving force, leading to tragedy. Cheon Seok-jung repeatedly shifted towards the advantageous side in moments of uncertainty, consistently calculating his moves to keep Baek Ki-tae close.
Clues Hinting at 'Made in Korea' Season 2
The conclusion of Season 1 signaled not an end, but a new beginning. Specifically, the Vietnam scene where Baek Ki-hyun witnessed his brother's secrets, the potential reappearance of the vanished Bae Geum-ji, and the expansion of the Ikeda line all heighten anticipation for Season 2. The key questions will be who will exploit Baek Ki-tae's sole weakness and what repercussions his power and drug business will cause. These clues naturally paint a picture of how the story will unfold.
For more details, check the original source below.
